Free Web NovelChapter 1203: Chapter 27: Love Debts (Part 3)
Princess Yinchuan stood at the doorway, holding the bundle.
She couldn’t decide whether to go in or retreat.
Su Yang hummed a tune while bathing, feeling as comfortable as could be.
Halfway through, he remembered that if the people from Dongxiang Marquis Mansion came after him, they’d recognize him by the tune, so he abruptly stopped.
He still didn’t know how long this escape from marriage would last.
Though he carried plenty of silver notes with him, which took care of food and drink, traveling was never quite like being at home.
No.
Perhaps life outside might be a bit better.
The only downside was the lack of playmates.
After bathing, he was about to get up from the tub when he realized he hadn’t taken his clothes.
Su Yang looked over and said, "Brother, could you hand me my clothes?"
Princess Yinchuan, "...."
Princess Yinchuan secretly gritted her teeth.
Was he really treating her like a little maid?
But they were in the same room now, so helping to hand him clothes wasn’t too much trouble. Princess Yinchuan helped out.
The bundle was easy to find, just tossed on the bed, but handing it to Su Yang proved to be a bit of a hassle.
Princess Yinchuan turned her back on the tub and extended her hand forward.
Su Yang, "...."
Su Yang raised his hand to rub his forehead.
Was she handing it to him or to the window?
"We’re all men here; do you need to be so coy?" Su Yang asked, resting his arm on the tub.
"Or are you afraid to look at me, feeling inferior?"
Compared to Su Yang, Princess Yinchuan was much smaller.
Although he seemed to be two or three years younger, at fifteen he hadn’t been this frail.
This skinny frame couldn’t even withstand a punch from him.
The whole journey to Nanlin he hadn’t had a chance to spar or practice, leaving his hands feeling a bit itchy.
Princess Yinchuan found Su Yang quite disagreeable.
Bathing without having clothes prepared first—what if she hadn’t been in the room?
Princess Yinchuan slightly turned and awkwardly handed the bundle to Su Yang.
If it wasn’t for Su Yang catching it in time, the bundle would have fallen into the tub.
"Thanks," Su Yang said.
Princess Yinchuan breathed a small sigh of relief and quickly moved to sit on the small couch, turning away.
She was making an effort not to look towards the tub, but in front was a copper mirror, perfectly angled towards the bathtub.
Su Yang got out of the tub, and she happened to see it.
"Ah!!!"
She screamed aloud.
Su Yang was startled, "Why are you shouting again?"
"Can’t you not be so jumpy?"
Could Princess Yinchuan say she saw Su Yang exit the bath?
She could only lie, saying, "There was a mouse."
Su Yang glanced at her, "A mouse scared you like this? Are you even a man?"
Princess Yinchuan, "...."
Princess Yinchuan stared at Su Yang with eyes saying, "You’ve insulted me."
Su Yang then dropped the subject.
He stepped towards the bed, but Princess Yinchuan quickly occupied it before him.
"I’m sleeping on the bed tonight," Princess Yinchuan stated.
Su Yang looked around, "Then where do I sleep?"
Princess Yinchuan glanced around and said, "The couch and table, take your pick."
Su Yang, "...."
"Take my pick?" Su Yang’s voice had a lilt.
"You’re quite generous."
Princess Yinchuan looked resolved, with no room for negotiation.
Su Yang didn’t argue with her.
Did he need someone’s permission to sleep on the bed?
Feeling revitalized after a bath, he looked at the inn’s food and remarked, "Let’s go find a restaurant for a meal."
Princess Yinchuan shook her head, "I’m not hungry."
Su Yang headed out by himself.
Once she was sure he’d left, Princess Yinchuan relaxed.
Days of travel had left her aching all over, practically falling apart.
The little attendant knocked on the door and came in to empty the water. Princess Yinchuan longed for a bath too. She had been cautious the whole journey to Nanlin and hadn’t had a proper soak.
That person earlier acted so casually, not even bothered by having a stranger in the room, even asking for help with clothes.
Princess Yinchuan instructed the little attendant to clean the tub thoroughly, add more hot water, and move the screen closer.
She was used to ordering around palace attendants; now directing the little attendant made her a bit uncomfortable.
Princess Yinchuan gave him five pieces of silver.
The attendant thanked her repeatedly, then asked, "Need me to scrub your back?"
Princess Yinchuan immediately regretted giving him money.
"No need," Princess Yinchuan replied.
"You may leave, don’t come in unless I call for you."
The attendant left with a big smile.
Princess Yinchuan untied her brocade robe, then fastened the door lock after undoing her waist tie for reassurance.
Only then did she feel at ease to bathe.
In the palace, life had been easy, with clothes and meals prepared. Planning the escape, she’d started taking care of herself, starting with dressing and hair styling.
Soaking in the tub, her pores relaxed comfortably.
Just then, the door was pushed, and Su Yang’s voice came, "Why is the door locked?"
Princess Yinchuan gritted her teeth in anger.
"I’m washing up, can’t open the door," she called out.
